Attract & Retain Your Workforce.

The population in greater Iowa City is growing faster than the national average. Not only do we have people seeking new opportunities, we’re also attracting individuals who want to return to the community when the right opportunity becomes available. With an annual pipeline of thousands of graduates from the University of Iowa, Coe College, Cornell College, Mt. Mercy University, and Kirkwood Community College, our local employers regularly report that we have some of the best, brightest, and most ethical workers in the nation. We invite you to explore our area’s resources on talent attraction and retention, workforce committees and coalitions, the workforce pipeline, and other resources for employers and workers.

Handshake

Handshake is a network that allows employers to connect with college talent across the nation. The platform is used by all of the colleges in our region and over 700 university career centers nation-wide. The platform allows your job postings to reach multiple schools across Iowa, the Midwest, and the nation.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) offers protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to give 60 days advance notice of covered plant closings and mass layoffs. A log of the notifications issued in Iowa can either be downloaded in PDF form or viewed directly in a dashboard maintained by Iowa Workforce Development. For employers searching to fill openings, the WARN notices can provide insight into workers who may be searching for new opportunities.

Popular Job Boards

Career Fairs

A variety of career fairs are held annually by local organizations and schools including:
 

Corridor Career Fairs

  • Contact: Liz Kennedy, 319-368-8970, Liz.kennedy@thegazette.com
 
Kirkwood Career Fairs
 
 
 

Workforce Training and Education

Kirkwood Corporate Training

Looking for assistance in customized training programs for your staff? Connect with the Corporate Training Team at Kirkwood Community College! They offer scheduled training products along with customized options and support for the development of apprenticeships, earn and learn models, and more.

Iowa Workforce Development Training Programs and Tax Credits Guide

Iowa provides a wide variety of incentives to help employers train and equip new workers, including those that directly support wages and work-based learning. Iowa Workforce Development has an excellent guide of programs available to employers that support workforce development and expansion, including the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E), Iowa Jobs Training Program (260F), the Accelerated Career Education Program (ACE / 260G), and more. 

Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund

The Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation fund is a grant opportunity to carry out creative solutions that address local workforce issues. It encourages employers, community leaders, and others to lead efforts for developing regional workforce talent pools. Employers can promote credit and noncredit education and training opportunities in high-demand jobs. The fund can be used in innovative ways to help Iowan achieve their training and education goals.

Internships, Apprenticeships, and Job Shadows

Kirkwood Apprenticeship Program

Whether you are a business looking to start an apprenticeship, join an established apprenticeship or a student wanting to become an apprentice with your current company or a new employer, Kirkwood has resources available to help you achieve your goals.

All of the apprenticeships through Kirkwood Community College are registered with the Department of Labor and have related training hours and on the job learning skills.

Highschool Interns & Job Shadows through Workplace Learning Connection

Workplace Learning Connection connects area professionals with middle and high school students who are interested in learning about area companies and the kinds of careers they offer. With partnerships from local employers, students learn which courses, skill sets and educational paths they need to enter a specific career field, as well as how to apply those skills in the real world. Employers can get involved by hosting a job shadow, internship, or worksite tour.

Connect with College Interns

IgniteIC: Connecting Interns to the Community

IgniteIC is a program for college students and interns living and working in greater Iowa City. This program gives students the opportunity to meet one another, explore our incredible culture, connect with young professionals, and imagine a future for themselves in greater Iowa City. IgniteIC is hosted by Greater Iowa City, Inc.Please reach out to Stephanie Verdinez, stephanie@greateriowacity.com, for more details.

Connect With Local Colleges

University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center
Contact: Allan Boettger, allan-boettger@uiowa.edu
Website: https://careers.uiowa.edu/employers/internships


Coe College
Contact: Barb Tupper, 319-399-8662, btupper@coe.edu
Website: https://www.coe.edu/academics/coe-difference-centers-and-programs/center-creativity-careers/careers/employers


Cornell College
Contact: Jason Napoli, 319-895-4458, jnapoli@cornellcollege.edu
Website: https://www.cornellcollege.edu/berry-career-institute/Internships-research-opportunities/index.shtml

Mt. Mercy College
Contact: Nate Klein, 319-368-1323 or ext. 1630, nklein@mtmercy.edu
Website: https://www.mtmercy.edu/career-services


Kirkwood Community College
Contact: Danielle Ebaugh, danielle.ebaugh@kirkwood.edu

Inclusive ICR

Inclusive ICR is a coalition of employers and organizations working together to support and grow diversity and inclusion in our regional workforce. The coalition guides a collection of strategies designed to support employers, employees, and students.

ICR Future

ICR Future is a coalition of employers, educators, and organizations working together to make Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR) the best place in the nation for career-connected learning.

Greater Iowa City Laborshed Studies

Iowa Workforce Development’s Laborshed Analysis shows the distribution of workers irrespective of natural or political boundaries and detailed information about the available workforce in Greater Iowa City. The analysis is conducted by Iowa Workforce Development every two years and features reports for individual cities as well as regions.

Iowa Workforce Development Labor Market Information

Iowa Workforce Development has an unparalleled Labor Market Information Department. They provide annual reports including the Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Staffing Patterns, Iowa Workforce and the Economy, and Iowa College Student Retention Report. They are also available as a resource for customized reports.